Do You Need A Union?

Workers' Incomes Are Lower in States Where Workers Don't Have Union Rights

In states that have laws restricting workers' rights to form strong unions, the average pay for all workers is lower. So-called "right-to-work" laws that limit workers' rights to collectively bargain contracts (including wages and benefits) are a bad deal for all workers. In 2002, average pay in so-called "right-to-work" states was 15 percent lower than in states where workers have the freedom to form strong unions.

Percentage of Workers in
Unions 2002

Annual Average Pay, 2002

Note: Right-to-work states are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wyoming.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Average annual wages for 2001 and 2002 for all covered workers by state. Includes workers covered by unemployment insurance and Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees.(UCFE) programs

Prepared by the AFL-CIO

Copyright @ 2005 AFL-CIO